Medina Spirit Allowed to Enter Preakness, with "Rigorous Conditions"

The draw for posts for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes will be held at 4:00 p.m. Eastern today (Tuesday  May  11).

 Pimlico Race Course and its affiliates issued this press release at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

BALTIMORE --1/ST RACING and the Maryland Jockey Club announced today that Medina Spirit will be permitted to enter into the 146^th Preakness Stakes (GI) to be run on Saturday, May 15^th  at Pimlico,

 That permission comes with rigorous conditions to entry along with a binding commitment from Bob Baffert to full transparency of medical and testing results that will allow for all results to be released to the public.

 The decision comes following the May 9^th announcement of a reported medication positive of betamethasone, an allowable therapeutic, as a result of the post-race blood sample testing following the 147^th Kentucky Derby involving Medina Spirit trained by Bob Baffert. Baffert has disputed those claims.

 As a condition of acceptance of the entry, Baffert has provided his consent to the Maryland Jockey Club to allow for rigorous testing and monitoring in addition to that conducted by the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC).

 Those additional tests and monitoring are to ensure the fairness and integrity of the races entered by horses trained by Baffert, which are the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII) and the 146^th Preakness Stakes (GI).  A copy of Baffert’s consent agreement is attached.  It has also been provided by Baffert to the MRC.

 Medina Spirit and Concert Tour are presently entered into the 146^th Preakness Stakes and Beautiful Gift in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. All graded stakes races will be run free of race day medications.

 Consistent with the fair procedures and practices established by 1/ST RACING and MJC, Baffert consents to the disclosure of information and results of the MRC and MJC tests, along with other relevant medical and administrative records to the MJC and Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, 1/ST RACING.

 

If any of the three Baffert horses test positive for a banned substance, or at a level for a permitted therapeutic substance that is above the designated limit, or if after medical review, reasonable conditions warrant, Baffert or MJC on his behalf, will scratch the horse in question.
 

“Integrity, accountability and safety in our sport are principles that 1/ST RACING puts above all else. Our company has a track record of instituting process and protocols that have led to nationwide medication reforms and we are unwavering in our commitment to put horse and rider safety at the forefront,” said Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING. “We are well aware of the public outcry and calls for action that have been the natural outcome of a medication positive in one of the most iconic races in our sport and we share the disappointment and concern.